Drawing together theory and practice, this comprehensive resource presents guidelines for good practice in community care work. The contributors describe the planning and implementation of pioneering initiatives in the community, analyse their effectiveness and outline their practical implications in the light of the current legislative framework. The collaborative action-research projects with community care teams can be used as case studies for students and post-qualifying social workers and as a practice resource for more experienced professionals. They include a local rehabilitation scheme developed jointly by the social and health services, the implementation and development of a race equality strategy in partnership with ethnic minority communities, and a scheme for linking individual social workers to general practice clinics. Key concepts such as risk-taking, guardianship and empowerment are examined, and the contributors highlight the central importance of partnership and participation in community care practice.